Tear: meaning, definitions and examples

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tear

[ tɪər ]

^{Context #1}

cry

A drop of clear salty liquid secreted by glands in a person's eye when they cry or when the eye is irritated.

Synonyms

dewdrop, drop, teardrop

Examples of usage

Her eyes were filled with tears as she watched the sad movie.
Tears rolled down his cheeks as he listened to the heartbreaking news.

^{Context #2}

rip

Pull or rip (something) apart or to pieces with force.

Synonyms

rend, rip, shred

Examples of usage

He tore the paper in half.
She tear the fabric to make it shorter.

Translations

Translations of the word "tear" in other languages:

🇵🇹 lágrima

🇮🇳 आंसू

🇩🇪 Träne

🇮🇩 air mata

🇺🇦 сльоза

🇵🇱 łza

🇯🇵 涙 (なみだ)

🇫🇷 larme

🇪🇸 lágrima

🇹🇷 gözyaşı

🇰🇷 눈물 (nunmul)

🇸🇦 دمعة

🇨🇿 slza

🇸🇰 slza

🇨🇳 眼泪 (yǎnlèi)

🇸🇮 solza

🇮🇸 tár

🇰🇿 жас

🇬🇪 ცრემლი

🇦🇿 göz yaşı

🇲🇽 lágrima

Word origin

The word 'tear' has a unique history as it can be used as both a noun and a verb. The noun form comes from Old English 'tear', which is related to Old High German 'zahar' meaning 'tear'. The verb form, on the other hand, comes from Old English 'teran', meaning 'to lacerate'. Over time, the word has evolved to encompass both meanings, reflecting the dual nature of tears - both as a sign of emotion and as an action of ripping or tearing something apart.

See also: teardrop, tearful, tearjerker, tears.